DIGEST

Lakewood : Council Sessions to Be on TV

The first broadcast of a Lakewood City Council meeting will be April 14 on the city's cable television station, Lakewood Living Channel 31. The council voted unanimously Tuesday night to begin a 60-day trial period during which audience reaction will be studied to determine whether the telecasts should continue, Mayor Robert Wagner said.

"I think what we are doing is sufficiently important that people will be interested in watching," Wagner said. "The only reason I see for putting a halt to it is if not enough people are interested."

The city started its own cable station in 1983 and has since been televising Planning Commission and Cable Commission meetings, said Don Waldie, city spokesman.

Council meetings are expected to attract 15% to 20% of Channel 31's viewership, according to a cablecasting feasibility report prepared by the city's telecommunications department. Channel 31 offers city-produced programs like "Lakewood Living Magazine," "The Crime Stoppers" and "Read Me a Story."